Masking plug assmebly

ABSTRACT

A masking plug assembly includes a lower anvil and an elongate member coupled to a central portion of the lower anvil, where the elongate member includes at least one coupling part. The assembly also includes an upper anvil having a central opening for receiving the elongate member therethrough, where the upper anvil includes at least one complementary coupling part configured to be releasably coupled with the at least one coupling part of the elongate member. The assembly also includes a deformable plug with a central opening for receiving the elongate member therethrough, where the deformable plug is configured to be positioned within the hole of the structure between the lower anvil and the upper anvil, and where the deformable plug is composed of a resilient material such that at least a portion of the deformable plug expands horizontally when compressed vertically between the lower anvil and the upper anvil.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to a masking plug assembly forprotecting a hole in a structure.

BACKGROUND

Determinant Assembly (DA) describes a manufacturing process that useshigh tolerance digital modeling and numerical control machines tomanufacture parts that can self-locate based on the precision of themating parts, such as holes. The protection of finished hole surfaces ina given part through subsequent part processing can be an importantconsideration in DA, as the edges of the holes can be vulnerable tofatigue effects and contamination resulting from chemical treatments orother manufacturing processes. Existing solutions used to mask holesurfaces are labor intensive to install and remove, may not provideassurance of protection, and can be ineffective for use withnon-cylindrical holes.

What is needed is an improved way to protect a finished hole in astructure during the subsequent manufacturing processes of thestructure.

SUMMARY

In one example, a masking plug assembly for protecting a hole in astructure is described including a lower anvil and an elongate membercoupled to a central portion of the lower anvil, where the elongatemember comprises at least one coupling part. The masking plug assemblyalso includes an upper anvil having a central opening for receiving theelongate member therethrough, where the upper anvil comprises at leastone complementary coupling part configured to be releasably coupled withthe at least one coupling part of the elongate member. The masking plugassembly also includes a deformable plug comprising a central openingfor receiving the elongate member therethrough, where the deformableplug is configured to be positioned within the hole of the structurebetween the lower anvil and the upper anvil, and where the deformableplug is composed of a resilient material such that at least a portion ofthe deformable plug expands horizontally when compressed verticallybetween the lower anvil and the upper anvil.

In another example, a method for installing a masking plug assembly toprotect a hole in a structure is described. The method includespositioning a deformable plug within the hole of the structure, wherethe deformable plug comprises a central opening for receiving anelongate member therethrough, and where the deformable plug is composedof a resilient material such that at least a portion of the deformableplug expands horizontally when compressed vertically. The method alsoincludes inserting the elongate member through the central opening ofthe deformable plug, where the elongate member comprises at least onecoupling part. The method also includes releasably coupling an upperanvil to the elongate member on a first side of the hole, where theelongate member is coupled to a central portion of a lower anvil on asecond side of the hole, and where the upper anvil includes at least onecomplementary coupling part configured to be releasably coupled with theat least one coupling part of the elongate member. The method alsoincludes compressing the deformable plug between the lower anvil and theupper anvil such that the deformable plug deforms to seal an interiorsurface of the hole.

In another example, a masking plug assembly for protecting a hole in astructure is described including a threaded screw comprising a head. Themasking plug assembly also includes a threaded washer, where thethreaded washer is sized to engage the threaded screw. The masking plugassembly also includes a deformable plug including a central opening forreceiving the threaded screw therethrough, where the deformable plug isconfigured to be positioned within the hole of the structure between thehead and the threaded washer, and where the deformable plug is composedof a resilient material such that at least a portion of the deformableplug expands horizontally when compressed vertically between the headand the threaded washer.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can beachieved independently in various embodiments or may be combined in yetother embodiments, further details of which can be seen with referenceto the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrativeembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrativeembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood byreference to the following detailed description of an illustrativeembodiment of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with theaccompanying Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a partially assembledmasking plug assembly, according to an example implementation.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembled masking plugassembly in a hole in a structure, according to an exampleimplementation.

FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a deformable plug of amasking plug assembly, according to an example implementation.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a deformable plug of a masking plugassembly, according to an example implementation.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an upper anvil of a maskingplug assembly, according to an example implementation.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an upper anvil of a masking plugassembly, according to an example implementation.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of a masking plugassembly and a hole in a structure, according to an exampleimplementation.

FIG. 8 illustrates a deformable plug of a masking plug assembly and across-sectional view of a hole in a structure, according to an exampleimplementation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a partially assembledmasking plug assembly, according to an example implementation.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembled masking plugassembly in a hole in a structure, according to an exampleimplementation.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an example method for installing a maskingplug assembly to protect a hole in a structure.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a masking plug assembly,according to an example implementation.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an assembled masking plugassembly in a hole in a structure, according to an exampleimplementation.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a deformable plug of amasking plug assembly, according to an example implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying Figures, in which some, but not all of the disclosedembodiments are shown. Indeed, several different embodiments may bedescribed and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these embodiments are described so that thisdisclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scopeof the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

Examples discussed herein include a making plug assembly for protectinga hole in a structure and methods for installing the masking plugassembly. For example, the masking plug assembly may include adeformable plug that is configured to be positioned within the hole andthen compressed between an upper and lower anvil that are coupledtogether through a central opening in the deformable plug. Inparticular, the deformable plug may expand horizontally when subject tothe vertical compression such that the deformable plug seals the edgesof the hole and protects the interior surface of the hole.

By the term “about” or “substantial” and “substantially” or“approximately,” with reference to amounts or measurement values, it ismeant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not beachieved exactly. Rather, deviations or variations, including, forexample, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracylimitations, and other factors known to those skilled in the art, mayoccur in amounts that do not preclude the effect that the characteristicwas intended to provide.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a cross-sectional view of a masking plugassembly 100 for protecting a hole 201 in a structure 200 is shown. Thehole 201 to be protected may take a number of forms. For example, thehole 201, shown in profile in FIG. 1, is a cylindrical hole that iscountersunk on one end. Other hole shapes are also possible. Generally,the hole 201 is or includes an opening in the structure 200, forexample. The hole 201 includes an upper countersunk edge 204 on a firstside 206 of the whole 201, and a lower edge 205 on a second side 207 ofthe hole 201. In some implementations, the lower edge 205 of the hole201 may include a relatively small chamfer, or rounded fillet. The hole201 also has an interior surface 202, which, in the example shown inFIG. 1, includes a countersunk surface 203. As noted above, it may bedesirable to seal and protect the interior surface 202, including thecountersunk surface 203, of the hole 201 as the structure 200 issubjected to chemical treatments or other manufacturing processes.

The masking plug assembly 100 for protecting the hole 201 includes alower anvil 101 and an elongate member 102 coupled to a central portion103 of the lower anvil 101. The elongate member 102 includes at leastone coupling part 104. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the at leastone coupling part 104 may be a series of ribs 124 disposed along theelongate member 102. For instance, in some implementations, the elongatemember 102 may take the form of a relatively flat strip, and the seriesof ribs 124 on the elongate member 102 may take the form of corrugationsor teeth similar to those found on a cable tie.

The masking plug assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1 further includes an upperanvil 105. The upper anvil 105 includes a central opening 106 forreceiving the elongate member 102 therethrough. The upper anvil 105 alsoincludes at least one complementary coupling part 107 configured to bereleasably coupled with the at least one coupling part 104 of theelongate member 102. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the atleast one complementary coupling part 107 of the upper anvil 105 takesthe form of a plurality of ratchet protrusions 127 sized to engage theseries of ribs 124. The plurality of ratchet protrusions 127 in FIG. 1are positioned on either side of the central opening 106, and engage theseries of ribs 124 as the elongate member 102 is inserted through thecentral opening 106. Other arrangements for the plurality of ratchetprotrusions 127 are also possible.

In FIG. 1, the series of ribs 124 and the plurality of ratchetprotrusions 127 are shown in a relative orientation that makes them bothvisible, for illustrative purposes. However, the series of ribs 124 andthe plurality of ratchet protrusions 127 do not engage each other in theorientation shown, and would need to be properly aligned in order to becoupled together. For example, the elongate member 102 may be rotated 90degrees (as shown in FIG. 2) in order for the series of ribs 124 toproperly engage the plurality of ratchet protrusions 127.

The masking plug assembly 100 further includes a deformable plug 108with a central opening 109 for receiving the elongate member 102therethrough, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The deformable plug 108 isconfigured to be positioned within the hole 201 of the structure 200.For instance, the shape of the deformable plug 108 in FIG. 1 correspondsto the countersunk shape of the hole 201. Further, the deformable plug108 is configured to be positioned between the lower anvil 101 and theupper anvil 105 as they are coupled together. Moreover, the deformableplug 108 is composed of a resilient material such that at least aportion of the deformable plug 108 expands horizontally when compressedvertically between the lower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105. Thedeformable plug 108 may be composed of rubber, for example, althoughother materials having a relatively low durometer are also possible,provided they can withstand the chemical treatments and othermanufacturing processes that are contemplated for the structure 200.

Moving now to FIG. 2, an assembled view of the masking plug assembly 100is shown, illustrating the deformation of the deformable plug 108discussed above. The deformable plug 108 is positioned within the hole201 of the structure 200, between the lower anvil 101 and the upperanvil 105, and the flat side of the elongate member 102 can be seen. Theseries of ribs 124 (not shown) have been engaged with the plurality ofratchet protrusions 127 such that the lower anvil 101 and the upperanvil 105 have been urged together to vertically compress the deformableplug 108. In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 2, the coupling part104 and the complementary coupling part 107 may be configured such thata distance 122 between the lower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105progressively decreases as the at least one coupling part 104 of theelongate member 102 and the at least one complementary coupling part 107of the upper anvil 105 are progressively coupled together. In this way,the amount of vertical compression, and corresponding horizontalexpansion, may be increased as the coupling parts are tightened.

As shown in FIG. 2, as a result of the vertical compression of thedeformable plug 108, an end portion 110 of the deformable plug 108 incontact with the lower anvil 101 has expanded horizontally. Similarly,another end portion 110 of the deformable plug 108, this one contactingthe upper anvil 105, expands horizontally. As shown in FIG. 2, the endportions 110 of the deformable plug 108 extends out of the hole 201 ofthe structure 200 along the interior surface 202 of the hole 201.Further, the horizontal expansion of the end portions 110 of thedeformable plug 108 may have the effect of sealing the interior surface202 of the hole 201. In particular, the end portions 110 may seal thelower edge 205 and the upper edge 204 of the hole 201, therebyprotecting the interior surface 202 of the hole 201. In animplementation where the lower edge 205 includes a chamfer or fillet,the end portion 110 may expand to cover and seal the chamfer or fillet.

To facilitate the horizontal expansion of the deformable plug 108 forsealing the upper edge 204 and the lower edge 205, the height of thedeformable plug 108 may be greater than the height of the hole 201.Accordingly, when the deformable plug 108 is positioned within the hole201, before it is compressed, the end portions 110 of the deformableplug 108 may extend vertically beyond both the upper edge 204 and thelower edge 205 of the hole 201.

The vertical compression necessary to seal the upper edge 204 and loweredge 205 of the hole 201 to protect the interior surface 202 may varybetween applications. For example, the degree of vertical compressionneeded may depend on the size and shape of the deformable plug 108 inrelation to the hole 201, the durometer of the material used for the ofthe deformable plug 108, the viscosity of the chemical treatment thatwill be applied to the structure 200, among other considerations. Insome implementations, the deformable plug 108 may be compressed until apredetermined height between the lower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105is obtained. In another case, the deformable plug 108 may be compressedto a predetermined torque value. Other possibilities also exist.

While the masking plug assembly 100 is installed in the hole 201, achemical treatment or other manufacturing process may be applied to thestructure 200. For instance, the structure 200 may undergo an anodizingprocess in an acid bath, it may be primed and/or painted, acid etched,hardcoated, pickled to among numerous other possibilities. The maskingplug assembly 100 may seal and protect the interior surface 202 of thehole 201 during any of these processes.

As noted above, the at least one coupling part 104, shown in FIGS. 1 and2 as a series of ribs, and the at least one complementary coupling part107, shown as a plurality of ratchet protrusions 127, may be releasablycoupled together. For example, the plurality of ratchet protrusions 127shown in FIG. 2 may be separated, disengaging them from the series ofribs 124, and thereby by allowing the elongate member 102 to bewithdrawn from the central opening 106 of the upper anvil 105. In thisway, the masking plug assembly 100 may be removed from the hole 201structure 200 when the manufacturing processes are complete, and thereis no longer a need to protect the hole 201. Moreover, the masking plugassembly 100 may then be reused, to protect another hole in anotherstructure.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 shows a top view, of thedeformable plug 108 according to an example implementation. As notedabove, the shape of the deformable plug 108 may correspond to the shapeof the hole 201. Accordingly, the deformable plug 108 includes afrusto-conical portion 111 having an upper diameter 112 and a smaller,lower diameter 113 connected by an angled portion 114. The deformableplug 108 also includes a cylindrical portion 115 extending from thelower diameter 113 of the frusto-conical portion 111. Other shapes arealso possible.

In some embodiments, the deformable plug 108 may include a top side 118that includes a chamfer 119 surrounding the central opening 109. Thechamfer 119 may include an outer diameter 120, and may facilitate theinteraction of the deformable plug 108 with the upper anvil 105, asfurther discussed below. number 119 to explain that thechamfer/countersink assists with the forming and reduces the probably ofthe anvil 105 binding up with plug 108

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 6 shows a top view, of theupper anvil 105 according to an example implementation. The upper anvil105 may include an upper diameter 116 and a smaller, lower diameter 117.In the examples shown in FIGS. 1-6, the upper anvil 105 has a partiallyfrusto-conical shape, similar to both the deformable plug 108 and thehole 201. However, the shape of the upper anvil 105 might not beexclusively driven by the shape of the hole 201. For instance, the shapeof the upper anvil 105 shown in FIGS. 1-6 may facilitate the horizontalexpansion of the end portions 110 of the deformable plug 108, and thesealing of the upper edge 204 of the hole 201 as the deformable plug 108is vertically compressed by the upper anvil 105. As such, the shape ofthe upper anvil 105 may be beneficial for other holes that are notcounter sunk. As one example, the lower anvil 101 shown in FIGS. 1-6 isalso frusto-conical in shape, although it contacts the cylindricalportion 115 of the deformable plug 108. Here, the angled portion of thelower anvil 101, when vertically urged against the deformable plug 108,may facilitate the horizontal expansion of the end portions 110 of thedeformable plug 108, and the sealing of the lower edge 205 of the hole201.

As noted above, the chamfer 119 on the top side 118 of the deformableplug 108 may also facilitate the interaction of the deformable plug 108with the upper anvil 105. For example, the outer diameter 120 of thechamfer 119 may be larger than the lower diameter 117 of the upper anvil105, allowing the lower end of the upper anvil 105 to be partiallyinserted into the central opening 109 of the deformable plug 108, andmay reduce the likelihood that the upper anvil 105 will bind against thedeformable plug 108. This may facilitate the horizontal expansion of theend portions 110 of the deformable plug 108, and the sealing of theupper edge 204 of the hole 201. Although it is not shown here, a bottomside of the deformable plug 108 may include a similar chamfer, and mayfacilitate a similar interaction with the lower anvil 101.

In some implementations, it may be desirable for the masking plugassembly 100 to be configured such that it may be installed with accessto only one side of the hole 201. For example, the structure 200 mayhave a size or shape that makes simultaneous access to both sides of thehole 201 difficult.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of the masking plug assembly 100 where thelower anvil 101 and the deformable plug 108 are one integral part 121.For example, the lower anvil 101 may be inserted into a mold for thedeformable plug 108, which may then be molded around the lower anvil101. Other possibilities also exist. This arrangement may allow thedeformable plug 108 to be placed into the hole 201 from the same side ofthe hole 201 that the upper anvil 105 will eventually occupy. Theelongate member 102 is also included in the integral part 121 shown inFIG. 7, although it may be incorporated before or after the lower anvil101 is molded with the deformable plug 108. For example, the elongatemember 102 may be formed integrally with the lower anvil 101, both ofwhich are then molded integrally with the deformable plug 108.Alternatively, the elongate member 102 may be inserted through thecentral opening 109 and coupled to the lower anvil 101 after the loweranvil 101 is molded into the deformable plug 108. Other possibilitiesalso exist.

As noted above, the hole 201 of the structure 200 may take numerousshapes other than the countersunk shapeshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Forexample, FIG. 8 shows an example of a hole 201 that is counter-bored,which may be desirable in some applications. In this embodiment, thedeformable plug 108 may have a corresponding shape, including a secondcylindrical portion 135, rather than the frusto-conical portion 111discussed above. As previously noted, the height of the deformable plug108 shown in FIG. 8 may be greater than the height of the hole 201, tofacilitate the horizontal expansion of the deformable plug 108 discussedabove. Other shapes are also possible, including a hole in the structure200 that is cylindrical only, without a counter-sunk or counter-boredportion, among other examples.

Further, the coupling parts of the elongate member 102 and upper anvil105 may take a different form than the series of ribs 124 and pluralityof ratchet protrusions 127 discussed above. For example, in someimplementations, the coupling part 104 of the elongate member 102 mayinclude one or more apertures along its length that are configured toreceive a complementary coupling part 107 in the form of a pin, such asa cotter pin or a split pin. Once the deformable plug 108 is positionedwithin the hole 201 and the elongate member 102 is inserted through thecentral opening 106 of the upper anvil 105, the deformable plug 108 maybe compressed between the lower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105 andthe pin may be inserted into the aperture of the elongate member 102,holding the upper anvil 105 in place relative to the elongate member102.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example implementation of the masking plugassembly 100 in which the elongate member 102 is a cylindrical,screw-like component. Accordingly, the at least one coupling part 104includes threads 134 disposed around a circumference of the elongatemember 102. For example, the threads 134 may be included on an exteriorsurface of the elongate member 102, and may ascend the length of theelongate member like a screw. Similarly, the at least one complementarycoupling part 107 of the upper anvil 105 includes complementary threads137 disposed around the central opening 106 of the upper anvil 105 andsized to engage the threads 134 of the elongate member 102 via rotationof the upper anvil 105. For example, the complementary threads 137 maybe included on an interior surface of the central opening 106 of theupper anvil 105, similar to a threaded washer or nut.

FIG. 10 shows an assembled view of the masking plug assembly of FIG. 9,in which the upper anvil 105 has been coupled to the elongate member 102via the threads 134, and tightened such that the deformable plug 108 iscompressed vertically. In this way, similar to the implementation shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the distance 122 between the lower anvil 101 and theupper anvil 105 may progressively decrease as the upper anvil 105 isprogressively coupled onto the elongate member 102.

The complementary threads 137 of the upper anvil 105 may be arranged isvarious ways. In some implementations, the upper anvil 105 may include arotatable top section that includes the complementary threads 137. Thetop section of the upper anvil 105 may be rotated relative to theelongate member 102 in order to couple the two components together. Inthis arrangement, the bottom section of the upper anvil 105 thatcontacts the deformable plug 108 need not rotate with respect to thedeformable plug 108, which may be desirable in some situations.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of a method 400 for installing a masking plugassembly in a hole of a structure, according to an exampleimplementation. Method 400 shown in FIG. 11 presents an embodiment of amethod that, for example, could be used with the masking plug assembly100 and the hole 201 in the structure 200, as shown in FIGS. 1-10 anddiscussed above. It should be understood that for this and otherprocesses and methods disclosed herein, flowcharts show functionalityand operation of one possible implementation of present embodiments. Inthis regard, each block in the flowchart may represent a module, asegment, or a portion of program code, which includes one or moreinstructions executable by a processor for implementing or causingspecific logical functions or steps in the process. For example, themethod 400 may be implemented by one or more computing devices of arobotic assembly system. Alternative implementations are included withinthe scope of the example embodiments of the present disclosure, in whichfunctions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed,including substantially concurrently, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art.

At block 402, the method 400 includes positioning the deformable plug108 within the hole 201 of the structure 200. The deformable plug 108includes a central opening 109 for receiving the elongate member 102therethrough. Further, the deformable plug 108 is composed of aresilient material such that at least the end portions 110 of thedeformable plug 108 expands horizontally when compressed vertically, asdiscussed above.

As discussed above the interior surface 202 of the hole may include acountersunk surface 203. The deformable plug 108 may include afrusto-conical portion 111 having an upper diameter 112 and a smaller,lower diameter 113 connected by an angled portion 114, and a cylindricalportion 115 extending from the lower diameter 113 of the frusto-conicalportion 111, as shown in FIG. 3. Accordingly, positioning the deformableplug 108 within the hole 201 may include positioning the deformable plug108 such that the angled portion 114 of the deformable plug 108 contactsthe countersunk surface 203 of the hole 201.

At block 404, the method 400 includes inserting the elongate member 102through the central opening 109 of the deformable plug 108. As notedabove, the elongate member 102 comprises at least one coupling part 104.In some implementations, the elongate member 102 may be inserted throughthe central opening 109 before the deformable plug 108 is positionedwithin the hole 201 of the structure 200. For example, in the examplediscussed above and shown in FIG. 7, the lower anvil 101 and elongatemember 102 may be molded integrally with the deformable plug 108.

At block 406, the method 400 includes releasably coupling the upperanvil 105 to the elongate member 102 on a first side 206 of the hole201, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, the elongate member 102is coupled to the central portion 103 of the lower anvil 101 on a secondside 207 of the hole 201. The upper anvil 105 includes at least onecomplementary coupling part 107 configured to be releasably coupled withthe at least one coupling part 104 of the elongate member 102.

As discussed in some of the examples above, coupling the upper anvil 105to the elongate member 102 may include progressively coupling the atleast one coupling part 104 of the elongate member 102 with the at leastone complementary coupling part 107 of the upper anvil 105 so as toprogressively decrease the distance 122 between the lower anvil 101 andthe upper anvil 105. For instance, the series of ribs 124 on theelongate member 102 may be progressively coupled with the plurality ofratchet protrusions 127 on the upper anvil 105 that are sized to engagethe series of ribs 124, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Alternatively,threads 134 disposed around a circumference of the elongate member 102may be progressively engaged with complementary threads 137 disposedaround the central opening 106 of the upper anvil 105, as shown in FIGS.9 and 10.

At block 408, the method 400 includes compressing the deformable plug108 between the lower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105 such that thedeformable plug 108 deforms to seal the interior surface 202 of the hole201. For instance, the hole 201 may include an upper edge 204 and alower edge 205, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Compressing the deformableplug 108 may include compressing the deformable plug 108 between thelower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105 such that the deformable plug108 deforms to seal the upper edge 204 and the lower edge 205 of thehole 201. The deformation may be, as discussed above, a horizontalexpansion of the end portions 110 of the deformable plug 108 in responseto the vertical compression between the lower anvil 101 and the upperanvil 105.

As discussed above, a chemical treatment or other manufacturing processmay be applied to the structure 200 while the masking plug assembly 100is installed in the hole 201, protecting its interior surface 202. Afterthe manufacturing processes are complete, the upper anvil 105 may bedecoupled from the elongate member 102, and the deformable plug 108 maybe removed from the hole 201. For example, the plurality of ratchetprotrusions 127 may be separated and disengaging from the series of ribs124, allowing the elongate member 102 to be withdrawn from the centralopening 106 of the upper anvil 105. Similarly, the upper anvil 105 shownin FIGS. 9 and 10 may be unthreaded from the elongate member 102.

Other arrangements of the masking plug assembly 100 are also possible,and some components of the assembly may be interchanged. For instance,based on the orientation of the structure 200 or the hole 201, the loweranvil 101 and the upper anvil 105 might be reversed in someapplications. In some cases, these components may instead be referred toas a first anvil and a second anvil, to reflect that their use may notbe limited to a particular orientation.

The lower anvil 101 and the upper anvil 105 discussed in the examplesabove may take other forms as well. For example, FIGS. 12 and 13illustrate a masking plug assembly 300, which includes a threaded screw301 including a head 302. The masking plug assembly 300 also includes athreaded washer 303 that is sized to engage the threaded screw 301.

The masking plug assembly 300 also includes a deformable plug 108, whichmay be substantially similar or the same as the deformable plug 108discussed in the examples above. Accordingly, the deformable plug 108includes a central opening 109 for receiving the threaded screw 301therethrough. Further, the deformable plug 108 is configured to bepositioned within the hole 201 of the structure 200 between the head 302and the threaded washer 303. As above, the deformable plug 108 iscomposed of a resilient material such that at least the end portions 110of the deformable plug 108 expands horizontally when compressedvertically between the 302 and the threaded washer 303.

Similar to some of the components of the masking plug assembly 100discussed above, the head 302 of the threaded screw 301 may include anupper diameter 304 and a smaller, lower diameter 305 connected by anangled portion 306. Further, the top side 118 of the deformable plug 108may include a chamfer 119 surrounding the central opening 109 of thedeformable plug 108, and an outer diameter 120 of the chamfer 119 may belarger than the lower diameter 305 of the head 302. As mentioned above,this arrangement may facilitate the horizontal expansion of the endportions 110 of the deformable plug 108 when it is vertically compressedbetween the head 302 and the threaded washer 303.

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the deformable plug 108where the threaded washer 303 and the deformable plug 108 are oneintegral component 307. Similar to the example shown in FIG. 7 where thedeformable plug 108 was formed integrally with the lower anvil 101, thethreaded washer 303 may be insert molded into the deformable plug 108.As above, this may allow the masking plug assembly 300 to be installedfrom a single side of the hole 201, and also reduces the number ofseparate components in the masking plug assembly 300.

The description of the different advantageous arrangements has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageousembodiments may describe different advantages as compared to otheradvantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as are suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A masking plug assembly for protecting a hole ina structure, comprising: a lower anvil; an elongate member coupled to acentral portion of the lower anvil, wherein the elongate membercomprises at least one coupling part; an upper anvil having a centralopening for receiving the elongate member therethrough, wherein theupper anvil comprises at least one complementary coupling partconfigured to be releasably coupled with the at least one coupling partof the elongate member; and a deformable plug comprising a centralopening for receiving the elongate member therethrough, wherein thedeformable plug is configured to be positioned within the hole of thestructure between the lower anvil and the upper anvil, and wherein thedeformable plug is composed of a resilient material such that at least aportion of the deformable plug expands horizontally when compressedvertically between the lower anvil and the upper anvil, wherein theportion of the deformable plug is an end portion contacting the loweranvil, wherein the at least one coupling part of the elongate member andthe at least one complementary coupling part of the upper anvil areconfigured such that a distance between the lower anvil and the upperanvil progressively decreases as the at least one coupling part of theelongate member and the at least one complementary coupling part of theupper anvil are progressively coupled together.
 2. The masking plugassembly of claim 1, wherein the deformable plug comprises afrusto-conical portion having an upper diameter and a smaller, lowerdiameter connected by an angled portion, and a cylindrical portionextending from the lower diameter of the frusto-conical portion.
 3. Themasking plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper anvil comprises anupper diameter and a smaller, lower diameter, wherein a top side of thedeformable plug comprises a chamfer surrounding the central opening ofthe deformable plug, and wherein an outer diameter of the chamfer islarger than the lower diameter of the upper anvil.
 4. The masking plugassembly of claim 1, wherein the lower anvil and the deformable plugcomprise one integral component.
 5. The masking plug assembly of claim1, wherein the at least one coupling part of the elongate membercomprises a series of ribs disposed along the elongate member, andwherein the at least one complementary coupling part of the upper anvilcomprises a plurality of ratchet protrusions sized to engage the seriesof ribs.
 6. The masking plug assembly of claim 1, wherein the at leastone coupling part of the elongate member comprises threads disposedaround a circumference of the elongate member, and wherein the at leastone complementary coupling part of the upper anvil comprisescomplementary threads disposed around the central opening of the upperanvil and sized to engage the threads of the elongate member viarotation of the upper anvil.
 7. The masking plug assembly of claim 1,wherein the end portion of the deformable plug which expandshorizontally extends out of the hole of the structure along an interiorsurface of the hole.
 8. A method for installing a masking plug assemblyto protect a hole in a structure, comprising: positioning a deformableplug within the hole of the structure, wherein the deformable plugcomprises a central opening for receiving an elongate membertherethrough, and wherein the deformable plug is composed of a resilientmaterial such that at least a portion of the deformable plug expandshorizontally when compressed vertically; inserting the elongate memberthrough the central opening of the deformable plug, wherein the elongatemember comprises at least one coupling part; releasably coupling anupper anvil to the elongate member on a first side of the hole whereinthe elongate member is coupled to a central portion of a lower anvil ona second side of the hole, and wherein the upper anvil comprises atleast one complementary coupling part configured to be releasablycoupled with the at least one coupling part of the elongate member,wherein releasably coupling the upper anvil to the elongate membercomprises progressively coupling the at least one coupling part of theelongate member with the at least one complementary coupling part of theupper anvil so as to progressively decrease a distance between the loweranvil and the upper anvil; and compressing the deformable plug betweenthe lower anvil and the upper anvil such that the deformable plugdeforms to seal an interior surface of the hole, wherein the portion ofthe deformable plug is an end portion contacting the lower anvil, andwherein compressing the deformable plug between the lower anvil and theupper anvil comprises compressing the deformable plug such that the endportion of the deformable plug expands horizontally and extends out ofthe hole of the structure along an interior surface of the hole.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the lower anvil and the deformable plugcomprise one integral component.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein theinterior surface of the hole comprises a countersunk surface, whereinthe deformable plug comprises a frusto-conical portion having an upperdiameter and a smaller, lower diameter connected by an angled portion,and a cylindrical portion extending from the lower diameter of thefrusto-conical portion, and wherein positioning the deformable plugwithin the hole comprises positioning the deformable plug such that theangled portion of the deformable plug contacts the countersunk surfaceof the hole.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the hole comprises anupper edge and a lower edge, and wherein compressing the deformable plugcomprises compressing the deformable plug between the lower anvil andthe upper anvil such that the deformable plug deforms to seal the upperedge and the lower edge of the hole.
 12. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: before the deformable plug is positioned within the hole ofthe structure, inserting the elongate member through the central openingof the deformable plug.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein progressivelycoupling the at least one coupling part of the elongate member with theat least one complementary coupling part of the upper anvil comprisesprogressively coupling a series of ribs disposed along the elongatemember with a plurality of ratchet protrusions disposed on the upperanvil, wherein the plurality of ratchet protrusions are sized to engagethe series of ribs.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein progressivelycoupling the at least one coupling part of the elongate member with theat least one complementary coupling part of the upper anvil comprisesrotating the upper anvil such that threads disposed around acircumference of the elongate member are progressively engaged withcomplementary threads disposed around the central opening of the upperanvil.
 15. A masking plug assembly for protecting a hole in a structure,comprising: a threaded screw comprising a head; a threaded washer,wherein the threaded washer is sized to engage the threaded screw; and adeformable plug comprising a central opening for receiving the threadedscrew therethrough, wherein the deformable plug is configured to bepositioned within the hole of the structure between the head and thethreaded washer such that the head and the threaded washer directlycontact the deformable plug, and wherein the deformable plug is composedof a resilient material such that at least a portion of the deformableplug expands horizontally when compressed vertically between the headand the threaded washer, wherein the head of the threaded screwcomprises an upper diameter and a smaller, lower diameter connected byan angled portion, wherein a top side of the deformable plug comprises achamfer surrounding the central opening of the deformable plug, andwherein an outer diameter of the chamfer is larger than the lowerdiameter of the head.
 16. The masking plug assembly of claim 15, whereinthe deformable plug comprises a frusto-conical portion having the upperdiameter and the smaller, lower diameter connected by the angledportion, and a cylindrical portion extending from the lower diameter ofthe frusto-conical portion.
 17. The masking plug assembly of claim 15,wherein the threaded washer and the deformable plug comprise oneintegral component.